Method and system for applying a heated skin treatment spray

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein propose the controlled application of a heated spray cloud to a target surface. The spray cloud may be delivered in connection with applications of atomized (misted) sunless tanning sprays using a variety of spray systems. A formulation of the cosmetic or conditioning liquid may conduct and retain heat to allow a pleasantly warm spray to be received on the skin surface. The formula may come to temperature quickly and the heat may be retained even though a nozzle cooling effect inherently cools the spray as it leaves the nozzle.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application forPatent No. 61/508,479, filed Jul. 15, 2011, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Spray devices for the application of liquids onto human skin and hairare well known. Sprays are used for many types of medicines, skintreatments, hair treatments, deodorants, lotions, and cosmetic agents.Specialized automated spray systems are used in tanning salons and spatreatment centers to apply sunless tanning compounds and skin careformulas, such as moisturizers, anti-aging treatments, and exfoliants.The spray solution used for sunless tanning is generally a water-basedmixture of DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and/or erythrulose and various otherskin care ingredients such as aloe vera. Often a cosmetic bronzer isadded along with pleasant scents and ingredients to enhance tanningperformance, such as formulations to balance skin ph. For best results,the spraying of the solution utilizes a finely atomized spray (mist), asopposed to the use of a spray stream or large spray droplets, becausethe mist of solution provides for even coverage and reduces the risk ofstreaking or running of the spray deposit.

The skin treatment spray process has inherently been a cold,uncomfortable experience for the recipient as nozzle expansion effectssignificantly cool the air and liquid in the spray cloud duringapplication to the skin. Furthermore, cold skin is known to inhibitoptimum coverage and performance of the skin care ingredients.Temperatures of the spray cloud can be over 30° F. lower than human bodytemperature and significantly cooler than ambient temperature (of theliquid or the air emitted from the sprayer).

In salons, customers disrobe for the spray treatment which lasts from 30seconds to 5 minutes. Some treatments involve sequential spray regimensof alternate ingredients so the experience can be significantly longer.Thus, the length of time the customer is exposed to cold can besignificant and may discourage the customer from obtaining the treatmentin the first place or returning for an additional treatment at a laterdate.

Moreover, “goose bumps” or “chill bumps” may form on the skin as aninvoluntary pilomotor reflex reacting to receiving a cold spray.Applying a spray tanning treatment to skin with chill bumps oftenproduces a poor result. One reason for the poor result is an unevenformation of the chill bumps on certain parts of the body but not onothers. For example, chill bumps are more likely to form on a subject'sforearm than underneath the arm. Also, chill bumps are more pronouncedon a subject's chest than on the subject's stomach; they are also morepronounced on a subject's thighs than on the calves. The resulting tanwill be different when a spray tan is applied to a body part with chillbumps than will result when applied to a body part without chill bumps.Often, the resulting tan may have an initial uneven tan color and unevenfading of the tan. The chill bumps may also contribute to increasedbeading, which is the formation of collected and coalesced droplets ofspray tanning solution on the skin and hairs. This beading may causeundesirable “freckling” effects.

A need exists in the art to address the foregoing issues in connectionwith providing a better skin treatment spray experience and result forthe consumer.

Reference is made to Thomason, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2005/0279865 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference), which teaches a fluid spraying system including a mobilecart that is in fluid communication with a hand held sprayer.

Reference is further made to Venuto, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,208 (thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) which teaches atanning spray booth implementation with a nozzle operable to both spraytanning solution and deliver drying air when not spraying.

Reference is also made to Cooper et al., U.S. Patent Publication No.2011/0133004 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference) which teaches a gantry-type system for spraying a skintreatment solution and a separate heated air stream.

Reference is also made to Cooper et al., U.S. Patent Publication No.2011/0137268 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference) which teaches a hand held skin treatment solution sprayerincluding a heating element and an supplemental air port.

Reference is also made to Cooper et al., U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/160,698 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference) which teaches a hand held skin treatment solution sprayerhaving a heating element that heats air emitted in the skin treatmentsolution spray.

Reference is also made to Pereira et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,915 (thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) which teachesan oil-in-water emulsifier composition and associated emulsifying waxes,oil-in-water emulsions, and microemulsions that may be used in cosmeticformulations to enhance emulsion stability and oil release.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein propose the controlled application of aheated spray cloud in connection with applications of atomized (misted)sunless tanning sprays and other skin-applied sprays using a variety ofspray systems. A formulation of the cosmetic or conditioning liquid mayallow a pleasantly warm spray to be received on the skin surface. Thisformulation may include an emulsifying wax, which may be phosphatebased. The formulation may also include fatty alcohol and/or oil. Theformulation may come to temperature quickly and heat may be retainedeven though a nozzle cooling effect inherently cools a spray as itleaves a nozzle. This application of a heated tanning spray enhances theefficacy of the tanning compounds and results in a deeper tan color anda longer lasting tan. Furthermore, warm air and warm liquid enhances thespray uniformity result and produces a softer characteristic feel of thespray ingredients on the skin, while reducing complaints of “stickiness”or “tackiness” by the consumer. Deposition efficiency and uniformity ofthe tan result is also improved.

Spray nozzle systems in a gantry-type and a hand held spray format arepresented for applying topical skin treatments, such as sunless tanningformulations, medicines, and lotions. Specifically, a skin treatmentspray including an emulsifying wax that retains applied heat is appliedto human skin using a hand held or gantry spray system which allows forcontrolled operation of a heating system and a heated atomizing sprayskin treatment solution dispensing system.

A spray nozzle system including an air outlet or outlets positioned nearthe liquid spray outlet of the spray nozzle to deliver heated air andskin treatment solution including a phosphate based emulsifying wax inthe form of a heated spray cloud may improve the atomization of thespray and the comfort and efficacy of the spraying experience. Accordingto certain embodiments, heated air may be applied to atomize or shapethe spray cloud that is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spraycloud temperature. In other embodiments, heated air may be deliveredthrough a supplemental air outlet and applied separately butsimultaneously with the spray to heat the spray could after it isemitted.

According to one embodiment, a handheld spray device includes at leastone air pathway containing a heating element; the air path terminates atan air assisted or an air-atomizing spray nozzle system. The air pathmay also allow heated air to be delivered through a supplemental airoutlet, in addition to, or in lieu of the air being supplied to thenozzle. The nozzle may be of any type of air-assisted nozzle orair-atomizer known in the art, with or without pattern shaping jets, andwith or without adjustable porting allowing control of pattern shapingjets. High volume, low pressure (HVLP), low volume, low pressure (LVLP),and adjustable volume, adjustable pressure (AVAP) are types of airatomizing nozzles that may be used with the disclosed spray gun. Othertypes of spray nozzles may also be used, such as air-assisted,hydraulic, and airbrush nozzles. Spraying systems according toembodiments of the present disclosure may be particularly suited forcoating a target surface with a heated skin treatment solution spraybecause the spray nozzle is capable of producing a well atomized,defined, and shaped spray pattern that is more comfortable on the skindue to its heat retention properties. According to an alternateembodiment, a heating element may be included in a gantry-type sprayer.

The heating element may be positioned upstream of and close to the pointof atomization, which provides warmer air and eliminates thedisadvantages of a heavy, insulated hose in the event the heatingelement is located at the source of compressed air. As the heated airflows through the sprayer, it may also heat a thermally conductiveliquid tip or channel, which in turn warms the liquid flowing throughthe channel or tip. The heat may also be used to elevate a liquidtemperature in the liquid reservoir. Heated air and/or heated liquidthat is emitted from the sprayer may improve spray atomization andcreate a more comfortable spray tanning experience. Also, warmed liquidflowing through the liquid channels of the sprayer may be less resistantto collection in the liquid channels, which may make the spray guneasier to clean and maintain.

The method of applying a heated spray cloud using the formulationdisclosed, has been found to make the experience of skin spraytreatments much more comfortable as well as improve coating uniformity.In addition, this method provides an improved tack-free feel of thespray deposit on the skin both during and after the spray session. Inthe case of sunless tanning with active ingredients such as Erythruloseor DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the system provides for an improved tanningcolor and increased longevity of the tan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained byreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a spraying system adapted for use inheating and spraying a skin treatment solution;

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph showing temperature effects on a skintreatment solution spray formulation according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a graph of the thermal characteristics of variousskin treatment solution sprays;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a spray gantry adapted for use in heating andspraying a skin treatment solution;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an exemplary implementation of a sprayer of thetype shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an exemplary implementation of a sprayer of thetype shown in FIG. 1 and including a supplemental air outlet; and

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate various views of a heating element used withinthe hand held sprayer or automatic gantry sprayer of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates aspraying system 10 adapted for use with a heat retaining formulation ofa skin treatment spray. The system 10 is configured to apply an atomizedmist of warmed skin treatment spray to a target surface 7 (for example,a customer's skin). The system 10 comprises a hand held, gantry-type, orother suitable spray member (in this case schematically represented by adotted enclosing line 101, wherein the enclosing line 101 for the spraymember generally indicates the use of any suitable enclosure or housingconfiguration including, for example, a simple structural mount to whichspray member components are mounted or a casing which completelyencapsulates the spray member components). The line 101 thus generallyrepresents the support, enclosure or housing configuration of the spraymember. However, in some embodiments, components of the spraying system10 that are illustrated inside of the line 101 may be separate andexternal to the spray member, and components that are illustratedoutside of the line 101 may be integral with or enclosed within thespray member, as further described herein.

Supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 101 of thespray member is a nozzle 104 that includes a spray jet outlet 105. Thespray jet outlet 105 of the nozzle 104 may emit air and liquid fromseparate orifices to create a finely atomized spray cloud (for example,a mist cloud) 33 of the skin treatment liquid aimed generally in a spraydirection 36. The spray mist 33 may be warmed by a supplemental heatedair outlet 108 after emission, or the air and/or the liquid emitted bythe nozzle 104 may be heated prior to emission.

The nozzle 104 with spray jet outlet 105 may comprise any suitablefinely atomizing spray nozzle assembly known to those skilled in theart. For example, the nozzle 104 may comprise any known air-atomizingtype atomizing nozzle, such as a high volume, low pressure (HVLP)nozzle, a low volume, low pressure (LVLP) nozzle, or an adjustablevolume, adjustable pressure (AVAP) nozzle. In certain embodiments, thenozzle 104 may not be an air-atomizing nozzle, but rather may be ahydraulic nozzle, a sonic nozzle, or any other nozzle that is suitablefor creating a spray that may be used for coating a target surface.

In the case of an air-atomizing nozzle, an air source may be used by thenozzle 104 to atomize the spray liquid and form the spray cloud 33 (aswell as air used by the nozzle 104 to shape the pattern of the emittedspray cloud). In the case of a mechanical, sonic, or hydraulic atomizer,air may not directly cause the atomization of the spray, but instead maybe used for spray delivery, turbulent flow formation, pattern shaping,or directional spray control. According to some non air-atomizingsprayer embodiments, the spray may be created using mechanical, sonic,or hydraulic type atomizers, and air may not be delivered as part of thespray. However, using heated air in connection with the application of aheat retaining skin treatment solution may create a more comfortable andeffective spray tanning experience.

The air may be heated by a heating element and/or warmed by a compressorsystem before reaching the nozzle 104. The nozzle 104 may also include aliquid tip body through which liquid flows. The liquid tip body may besurrounded by an internal heated air stream. In certain embodiments, thenozzle 104 may also support electrostatic spraying of the skin treatmentliquid that may have been heated by the internal air stream. In certainother embodiments, heat may be applied directly to the liquid.

Also supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 101 isa supplemental heated air outlet 108. The heated air outlet 108 sourcesa relatively lower pressure heated air stream 37 aimed generally in anair direction 38. The spray direction 36 and air direction 38 are bothaimed towards the target surface 7. In a preferred embodiment, the spraydirection 36 intersects 70 the air direction 38 such that the air stream37 mixes with the atomized spray cloud 33 prior to atomized spray cloud33 contact with the target surface 7. Even more particularly, the airdirection 38 is aimed such that the air stream 37 mixes with a leadingedge and/or a trailing edge of the atomized spray cloud 33 (in terms ofa primary direction of hand held spray member movement when applying theskin treatment liquid to the target surface 7).

In an embodiment, the enclosure or housing configuration 101 of the handheld or gantry spray member may support an air valve 121 coupled in theducting 51 between the air heating system 117 and the air outlet 108. Inother embodiments, the air valve 121 may not be supported by the spraymember or the air valve 121 may be eliminated altogether. The air valve121 at the very least controls the state (on/off) of passage of heatedair received from the air heating system 117 to the supplemental heatedair outlet 108. In addition, the air valve 121 may further control arate and/or proportion of flow of heated air received from the airheating system 117 to the heated air outlet 108 and to the nozzle 105.The passed heated air is delivered from the heated air outlet 108 as theheated air stream 37 and/or as air that forms or shapes the spray cloud33. With respect to controlling the state and rate of flow of heatedair, the air valve 121 may comprise any suitably configured controlledair flow valve, and in a preferred implementation, as discussed in moredetail herein, may comprise a flap valve adjustment mechanism.

A liquid conduit 53 may be coupled to a liquid source 110 at one end andcoupled to the nozzle 104 at another end. The flow of a heat retainingskin treatment liquid may be controlled in certain embodiments by avalve 52, pump, or other liquid flow control device that may be locatedalong the liquid path defined by the ducting of the liquid conduit 53.The liquid tip body may be associated with the nozzle 104, and it mayreceive the liquid before it is emitted as part of the mist 33. Inaddition, the liquid tip body may be heated by the heated air flowingthrough the nozzle 104. The heated liquid tip body may in turn heat theliquid that flows through the liquid tip body. According to an alternateembodiment, the liquid in the liquid conduit 53 may run proximate theheating unit 117 such that the liquid is heated by the heating unit 117as it flows through the conduit 53. In a further embodiment, the liquidmay also be warmed at the liquid source 110 directly by the heat element117 or by passing heated air into a reservoir holding the liquid.According to non air-atomizing sprayer embodiments, heating the liquidalone may achieve the desired temperature range and subjective warmfeeling after receiving the skin treatment solution spray.

In addition to providing a more comfortable feel on the skin, the heatedliquid may also flow through the liquid tip body and flow channels moreeasily. It may also create an improved atomized mist where spraydroplets may be a more uniform size. Thus, an improved spray pattern ofmist 33 may be received by the target surface 7. In certain embodiments,as explained in greater detail below, the sprayer 101 may includepattern shaping jets, which may be used to create different heated spraypatterns.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 101of the hand held or gantry spray member is an air heating system 117coupled to supply heated air to the nozzle 104. The air heating system117 receives air from inlet air ducting 114 and heats the air to ahigher temperature than the temperature of the air as received. Anysuitable heating element could be used within the air heating system117. Air heated by the air heating system 117 may flow through main airducting 51 to the nozzle 104. Depending on the type of nozzle, theheated air may help atomize the mist 33, dry the target surface 7, andthe like. Air heated by the air heating system 117 may travel through aseparate pattern shaping air duct to nozzle 104. This air may be emittedthrough a pattern shaping orifice and help shape the pattern of thespray mist 33 to allow it to effectively coat the target surface 7 withthe heat retaining skin treatment solution. In certain embodiments, theheated air may also flow through the spray member 101 and through acheck valve and heat and/or pressurize liquid in the liquid source 110.

The liquid source 110 may be a container that is filled with the heatretaining skin treatment liquid. Certain oils, emulsifying agents,solids, and waxes may be formulated in the skin treatment solution toimprove certain desirable thermal properties that allow the solution tobe comfortably received by the subject at an elevated temperature. Theelevated temperature of the received skin treatment solution may occurwhen the solution is sprayed from air-atomizing and non-air atomizingtype nozzles, even as the solution cools due to a nozzle expansioneffect on the spray as it leaves the nozzle 104. In certain embodiments,the temperature of the received spray may be approximately 99° F., humanbody temperature. It has been found that spray received comfortably onthe skin has a spray cloud temperature within about 10° F. of that ofnormal skin temperature, 91° F., therefore in the range of 81° to 101°F. The elevated temperature of the received solution may also occur innon-air atomizing nozzles that do not rely on air to create the spray ofskin treatment solution. Examples of these types of nozzle includehydraulic and sonic type nozzles. Heating the liquid may allow a warmedspray to be delivered, even as the liquid expands as it is deliveredthrough the non air-atomizing nozzles.

The skin treatment liquid may be a formulation that has a high thermalconductivity and therefore heats quickly. The formulation may alsoretain this heat such that it remains at an elevated temperature andwill be comfortable when sprayed on a subject's skin. These heatretaining properties may be achieved with a sprayable skin treatmentsolution that includes an emulsifying wax, which may be phosphate-based,particularly ceteth phosphate. This emulsifying wax may contain a blendof fatty alcohol and phosphate esters. According to other embodiments, avariety of emulsifying waxes may be used in the skin treatment sprayformulation of the present disclosure. For example, skin treatment sprayformulations may include Emulsifying Wax NF, beeswax, plant based orother suitable emulsifying waxes.

The desirable thermal properties include the skin treatment solution'sability to retain heat during three identified phases of the sprayingprocess. The solution should retain heat during the atomization, spraydelivery, and deposition phases of the spraying process. Also, receivingthe spray solution on the skin may be made more comfortable by reducingthe evaporative cooling effects that are felt after the skin spraysolution is deposited on the skin. According to certain embodiments,these desirable thermal properties may be affected by the solution'sspecific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal inertia, thermaldiffusivity, and thermal evaporative properties, such as flash point,boiling point, and heat of vaporization.

The skin treatment solution may be a phosphate based emulsifying waxcontaining a blend of cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate, and cetethphosphate in an aqueous base. The blend may be between 1% and 5% byvolume. The phosphate based emulsifying wax may be a particularcomposition called CRODAFOS™ CES or any of that family of phosphateesters that are manufactured and available from Croda, Inc. located inEdison, N.J. This composition primarily includes cetearyl alcohol,dicetyl phosphate, and ceteth phosphate. In certain embodiments, theceteth phosphate may be ceteth-10 phosphate. The skin treatment solutionspray may include the ceteth phosphate composition blended with asunless tanning compound, such as dihydroxyacetone and/or erythrulose.Other ingredients, such as aloe vera, may also be blended to achieve avariety of desirable effects on the skin receiving the spray.

FIG. 2 shows a graph plotting a percentage of the ceteth phosphatecomposition in the spray solution and a corresponding spray cloudtemperature based on different heating methods. As stated above, theceteth phosphate composition tested included cetearyl alcohol, dicetylphosphate, and ceteth-10 phosphate. The first heating method was toallow the turbine of the air source to provide the only heat source. Theturbine used in the test was capable of raising the temperature of theair at the turbine outlet to approximately 150° Fahrenheit. To increasethe temperature of the spray cloud, a 580 watt heater was used to applyadditional heat after that heat. This heat was applied closer to thenozzle 105 because the air heated by the turbine cooled as it traveledthrough a length of hose. The air may be cooled between 20°-30° F. as itflowed through the length of hose. The temperature measurements weretaken approximately five inches away from the spray solution emissionnozzle.

From FIG. 2 it can be determined that increasing the percentage ofceteth phosphate composition in the skin treatment solution correspondswith an approximately linear increase in spray cloud temperature, whichpeaks at about 2.5% of ceteth phosphate composition in the spraysolution compound. It can also be determined that the 580 Wattsupplemental heating element increases the temperature and heats thespray solution such that the spray cloud reaches approximately 99degrees. Additional power can be used to further increase the spraycloud temperature. Depending on the particular formulation, addingceteth phosphate composition over a certain percentage may contribute toa slight increase in spray cloud temperature, but it may also result inundesirable attributes of the skin treatment solution, such as increasedviscosity inhibiting flow through the sprayer. This percentage has beenfound to be approximately 2.75% for a ceteth phosphate compositionhaving ceteth-10 phosphate and approximately 6% for a ceteth phosphatecomposition having a ceteth-20 phosphate.

FIG. 3 is a graph comparing the spray cloud temperatures of variouscommercially available sprayable sunless tanning skin treatmentsolutions. The spray temperature of water is also included forcomparison purposes. From the graph it can be seen that solutions A-Ehave spray temperatures that are similar to that of sprayed water, whilethe solutions that include the ceteth phosphate composition haveremarkably different thermal characteristics, particularly the cetethphosphate composition solution maintains an elevated temperature, asopposed to cooling quickly. Similar to FIG. 2, the test results wereobtained using a 140° Fahrenheit pre-heated turbine as the air source.The 140° temperature was measured at the turbine outlet. After threeminutes (180 seconds—indicated by the vertical line on the graph), a 580Watt heating element was activated and the spray cloud was warmed by asupplemental heat source as described above. For the spray skintreatment solution to be comfortable on the skin of the subject, thespray should be elevated above 80° F. and preferably be approximatelythe same temperature as the body—approximately 99° F. When the ambienttemperature is about room temperature (72°-75° F.), the skin temperaturemeasures approximately 91° F., so this is a comfortable spraytemperature.

Subjective testing has shown that spray skin solution at 90°-107° F. isthe most comfortable temperature range when received on the skin. Thepreferred embodiment spray heating system should include heat adjustmentfunctionality. In addition, varying amounts of the active ingredients ofthe ceteth phosphate composition may also allow the desired heat rangesto be achieved. According to certain embodiments, a skin treatmentsolution containing an emulsifying wax, such as a ceteth phosphatecomposition, is heated such that it is approximately 20°-30° F. hotterthan the ambient temperature when it is emitted as a spray according tothe teachings of the present disclosure. Thus, the initial heating ofthe liquid skin treatment solution and/or the air associated with thespray formation, spray heating, or spray shaping, or spray deliveryshould account for the inherent nozzle expansion cooling effectassociated with air-atomizing and non-air-atomizing spray nozzles.According to the present disclosure, this may be accomplished byapplying heat to a particular formulation of skin treatment solutionincluding an emulsifying wax, such as a ceteth phosphate composition.

The solution including the ceteth phosphate composition is graphed attwo different initial temperatures. One set of data was taken afterpreheating the ceteth phosphate composition to approximately 104° F.,and the other set of data was recorded with the initial temperature ofthe liquid skin treatment solution initially at room temperature.Solutions A-E showed a minimal change in the temperature data recordedwhen they were initially heated to 104° F.

FIG. 3 shows that the spray cloud temperature of the skin treatmentsolution including a ceteth phosphate composition can be sprayed atsignificantly higher temperatures and also loses less heat due to nozzlecooling. The graph is based on the temperature of a temperature probepositioned approximately in the center of a spray cloud of the varioussolutions created by an HVLP nozzle. The time component of the graphpredominately shows the time it takes for this probe to come totemperature during the test. When the heating element is activated, thespray cloud temperature of the solution containing the ceteth phosphatecomposition rises approximately 20°-30° F. and attains a temperatureover skin temperature. In contrast, the solutions without the cetethphosphate composition form significantly cooler HVLP turbine airatomized clouds. When the supplemental heat element is activated, thespray clouds only increase in temperature approximately 5°-10° F. and donot reach human skin temperature. Thus, the ceteth phosphate compositioncontaining solution would feel warm (or at least not cold) when sprayedon the skin with a heated spray system according to the presentdisclosure, while the solutions without the ceteth phosphate compositionwould feel cold when sprayed on the skin.

In certain embodiments, the skin treatment solution may include anemulsion containing a blend of fatty alcohol and phosphate esters. Inone embodiment, the emulsion may be an oil in water emulsion. The oilmay be added to improve the heat transfer, heat retention, andevaporation characteristics of the skin treatment solution. The oil maybe synthetic or natural, including botanical oils or oils of anysuitable type, such as silicone or dimethicone oil.

There may be two modes of evaporation which may be affected by the oilcontent of the skin treatment solution. The skin treatment solution mayevaporate while it is in transport. That is, the skin treatment solutionmay evaporate after it is emitted from the nozzle and before it hits theskin surface. Evaporation during transport may contribute to significantcooling of conventional skin treatment solution sprays. Moreover, thisevaporation may cause some sprayed droplets to drift such that they arenot deposited on the skin. This is due to boundary layer effects on thespray droplets.

Skin treatment solutions according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may minimize this evaporation and allow the spray cloud ofthe skin treatment solution to retain heat and minimize unwanteddrifting.

Also, the oil content of the skin treatment solution may affect theevaporation characteristics of the heated skin treatment solution onceit is applied to the skin. For example, a certain formulation of oil andskin treatment solution may allow the skin treatment solution toevaporate more slowly, allowing the warm feeling to remain on thesubject's skin for a longer period of time. This may be particularlytrue in comparison to an aqueous solution that does not include oil.

A further consideration of adding oil to affect the rate of evaporationof the skin treatment solution is the sprayed solution's volatility.That is, it is important to maintain an appropriate droplet size of thespray forming the spray cloud. Too large of a droplet size may result inundesirable dripping after the spray is applied to the skin. In the caseof cosmetic tanning solution, this dripping may lead to unwanted linesmarking the path of the drip that may be left on the subject's skin.

As previously described, consistent with the teaching of the presentdisclosure, heat may be applied to the skin treatment solution using avariety of techniques. Each of these techniques can be combined with anyor all of the others to enhance the heating of the skin treatmentsolution spray that is ultimately received by the target surface. First,heat may be applied to the liquid component of the heat retaining skintreatment solution in the liquid reservoir and/or the liquid conduit andbefore it is dispensed by the nozzle. Second, heat may be applied to theair before it is emitted from the nozzle to form the spray cloud. Third,heat may be applied to the emitted spray cloud (which may or may notinclude heated air and/or heated skin treatment solution) by asupplemental heated air outlet to warm the spray cloud after it has beenemitted.

According to the teachings of the present disclosure, it has been foundto be beneficial to heat the skin treatment solution and/or air closerto the nozzle before emission. It is also beneficial to heat thesolution immediately after emission by heating the spray cloud with warmair.

Another consideration is how well the solution maintains an appropriateconsistency to allow it to flow through the liquid conduits and formspray after it has been exposed to a variety of temperatures duringshipping or other transport of the bulk solution. For example, a skintreatment solution that has been heated past a certain temperature orcooled past a certain temperature during transport may become tooviscous to flow through the liquid conduit and be emitted as a spray.This may be true even if the solution is allowed to return toapproximately room temperature before it is used, it still may retainits undesirable viscosity and make it unsprayable.

According to certain embodiments, the liquid source container 110 may bean integral component of, or may be removably mounted to, the support,enclosure or housing configuration 101 of the hand held spray member.The container may be sized to store a relatively small amount of skintreatment liquid (for example, one or a few doses selected for eachspray session or application). The container may be received by areceptacle 65 formed in the support, enclosure or housing configuration101 of the hand held spray member and coupled to the liquid channel 53.In an alternative configuration, the container may instead comprise anexternal tank configuration storing the skin treatment liquid andcoupled to the liquid channel 53 using a hose.

The reference to a liquid source 110 includes the supply of heatretaining skin treatment solution comprising an emulsifying wax. Theliquid source 110 may be a single liquid tank supplying a single type(or container) of liquid for spray application as well as the use ofmultiple liquid tanks (or containers) each containing a distinct liquidfor customer selection and skin application. When multiple tanks areprovided, the customer can design a multi-product spray session.

The heating element 117 may receive power from a power supply that iseither internal or external to the hand held or gantry spray member. Theheating element 117 can be incorporated directly into inlet air ducting114 and/or into the liquid channel 53 and/or the liquid source 110.According to certain embodiments, as discussed in more detail herein,the heating element 117 for a hand held sprayer may be positioned in ahandle of the hand held spray member. For a gantry type sprayer, theheating element 117 may be placed in close proximity to the nozzle 105to reduce cooling as the liquid or air flows between the heating element117 and the nozzle 105.

Air supplied to inlet air ducting 114 may be ambient air from an airsource. The air source may be a compressed air source that mayincorporate a fan, a blower or a compressor that may be external orinternal to the hand held spray member 101. The compressor of the airsupply may be any suitable air moving device, such as a fan, blower,turbine, or piston, rotary or diaphragm compressor, or other air pump.

Air from the air source flows to the air heating system 117, which thenheats the received air as it passes to the nozzle 104 or thesupplemental air outlet 108. In certain embodiments, the air source mayitself increase the temperature of the air slightly. With thistemperature increase, a lower rated heating system may be used. In anyevent, the air received by the nozzle 104 is warmer than the ambient airtemperature (i.e., warmer than the air temperature where the target 7 islocated).

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an automatic system 5 for spraying skintreatment solutions that are heated and retain heat such that they feelcomfortable and not cold when coming in contact with a subject's skin.The system 5 comprises one or more sprayers 12 installed on a gantry 14that is configured to move the sprayer 12 in at least one direction.According to the teaching of the present disclosure, the sprayer 12 mayinclude a nozzle 20 that delivers a spray of heat retaining skintreatment solution. The emitted spray may or may not have been heatedbefore emission. In either case, the spray cloud may then be heated bywarm air delivered by one or more air outlets 22 that are separate fromthe air of the nozzle 20.

In one embodiment, the gantry 14 is configured with a mechanism totraverse each sprayer 12 along a linear guide track 16 having a verticalorientation. In another implementation, the sprayer 20 is installed on agantry including a multi-axis robotic guide mechanism configured to movethe nozzle in at least one linear direction (for example, vertical) andmay further support movement in another linear direction (such as, forexample, horizontal). In another implementation, the sprayer 12 isinstalled on gantry including a pivot mechanism to support change in theangular orientation of the spray direction (for example, vertical and/orhorizontal). Combinations of the foregoing movement mechanisms may beemployed by the gantry if desired. A control panel 18 is coupled to acontrol system which controls gantry operation to move the sprayers 12(for example, along the linear guide track 16, or in any supportedlinear direction or angular orientation). Each sprayer 12 is mounted tothe gantry and includes a nozzle 20 (or multiple nozzles 20) and lowpressure supplemental air outlet 22 (or multiple low pressure airoutlets 22). The control system further controls actuation of eachsprayer 12 to output from the one or more nozzles 20 a spray jetcontaining a heat retaining skin treatment solution. The control systemmay further control actuation of each sprayer 12 to output from the oneor more air outlets 22 a stream of heated air flow (which issupplemental to any high pressure air used at the nozzle 20 foratomization and/or pattern shaping, which may or may not have beenheated). The supplemental air outlets 22 for providing heated air areshown positioned both above and below the nozzle 20 on each sprayer 12,although it will be understood that only a single air outlet 22(adjacent the nozzle 20) is necessary. A heating element (referencenumber 117, FIG. 1) is provided to heat the air and/or liquid deliveredto and output from the heated air outlet 22.

In one embodiment, the spray from the nozzle 20 may be controlledseparately from the air flow from heated air outlet 22 to allow asequence of operations to be performed in connection with the sprayingheat retaining skin treatment, such as pre-warming of the skin, followedby separate spraying and drying cycles. The heated air flow from the airoutlets 22 positioned above and below the spray outlet 20 is provided ina controlled manner for a number of purposes: to pre-warm the skin, towarm both the leading and trailing edges of the spray jet (i.e., thespray cloud) as the jet is naturally bent due to movement of the sprayer12 along the guide track 16, and to provide a drying air stream afterthe spray cloud passes (or independent of spray cloud application).

In an alternate embodiment of a gantry spray system, the nozzle 20 maymove along the gantry while a supplemental air outlet remains fixedadjacent the guide track. An example of this embodiment is described inU.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0266776, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The movement among and between modes is designed to enhance theconsumer's skin treatment spray experience and improve the result, suchas an improved spray tan. Warm air from the air drying outlet serves toprepare the skin for treatment, warm the skin for customer comfort, anddry the skin evenly after application. Alternating between sprayapplication and warm air application improves the tanning result.Furthermore, the mixing relatively low pressure warm air application inwith liquid spraying (i.e., mixing into the spray cloud) reduces thediscomfort experienced by the consumer due temperature drop of the sprayliquid resulting from high pressure nozzle expansion effects.

Although an air atomizing nozzle is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it will beunderstood that a suitable hydraulic nozzle, sonic or other type nozzlecould alternatively be used. In the case of an air-atomizing nozzle,either a single air source or separate air sources may be used for theheated air (as supplemental air) and the atomizing and/or patternshaping air used by the air-assisted nozzle. In the case of anair-assisted high volume, low pressure (HVLP) nozzle, the turbine itselfcan be used as a heated air source; conduits can be ported to provideair at a higher pressure for atomization and pattern shaping, andprovide heated air at a lower pressure for warming the emitted spraycloud. Additionally, one or more heating elements can be incorporateddirectly into a liquid conduit, a liquid reservoir, an air conduit or atthe exit of a supplemental air outlet.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which illustrate an exemplaryimplementation of a hand held sprayer implementing the schematicrepresentation for delivering a heated skin treatment spray to a targetsurface, as shown in FIG. 1. The support, enclosure or housingconfiguration 101 of the hand held spray member implementation includesa suitably sized and shaped housing (or shroud) 112 for containing thenozzle 104, ducting for air and liquid flow, control device 52 forcontrolling liquid flow, air heating system 117, and a trigger-type 102actuator for controlling operation of the hand held spray member. In anexemplary configuration, the housing 112 includes a barrel shapedportion 94 and a handle shaped portion 96. The spray member 101 may beconfigured to receive and connect to a hose 78. The hose 78 may run fromthe air source to a fitting on spray member 101. The hose 78 may be aconduit that carries air and/or liquid to spray member 101, where it maybe converted into spray mist 33.

The front of the enclosure or housing configuration 101 of the hand heldspray member implementation shows the spray nozzle 104 of the airatomizing type with the spray jet outlet 105 and mist shaping air ports106 provided immediately adjacent the spray jet outlet 105. According tocertain embodiments, the spray jet outlet 105 may include a liquid tipbody 120 and an atomizing air port 91 that annularly surrounds and isconcentric with the liquid tip body 120. Concentric liquid and air portsmay be particularly suited for spray applications used to coat a targetsurface 7. The mist shaping air ports 106 supply air used by the nozzle104 for pattern shaping of the spray cloud, for example, to shape thespray cloud into a flat fan-like spray shape, which may allow greaterspray coverage of the target surface. In other embodiments, the spraycloud may be shaped to form a pinpoint spray pattern, which may allowmore spray to coat a smaller portion of the target surface.

In certain embodiments, adjustable porting may allow additional controlover the mist shaping air. A port size may be adjusted by rotating anair cap to a position that blocks air from escaping through a portion ofthe pattern shaping ports 106. This blockage will cause higher pressureair through the atomizing port 91 or other heated air emitting orifices.Adjusting porting may allow the atomizing air port 91 to supplyrelatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle 104 for atomization ofthe spray liquid to create the spray cloud. This air pressure may behigher than the air pressure used for pattern shaping. The air pressurein the nozzle may be less than in conventional liquid spray systems suchthat less heat of the pressurized air may be lost due to expansion as itleaves the nozzle 104. In certain embodiments, the pressure may be lessthan 10 psi.

Air flow ports and outlets may be enlarged to reduce the expansioncooling effect on the heated air. The volumetric flow rate for theheated air emitted by the nozzle 104 and the air port 91 may be in therange of 3 to 50 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM). The air pressuremay be between 0.3 to 30 pounds per square inch (psi). In order tominimize heat loss due to expansion, the air pressure at the nozzle 104may be limited to less than 5 psi. In certain embodiments, the nozzlepressure may be between 0.2 and 1 psi.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 104 includes an aircap 122 that is secured to the hand held sprayer 101 by a spray jetretaining ring 124. The air cap 122 may be made of any suitablematerial. In certain embodiments, it may be metal or plastic. The aircap may channel heated air to the atomizing air ports 91 and the patternshaping air ports 106.

The liquid source 110 is attachable to a rear of the barrel portion 94of the sprayer. The liquid source 110 comprises a single liquid tanksupplying skin treatment solution formulated to conduct and retain heatas described above. The tank may be filled through a cap 111. Thecontainer forming the liquid source 110 is also detachable throughactuation of a mechanical release button 113. This allows the user tochange the type of spray liquid being applied by changing liquidcontainers. According to certain embodiments, the location of the tankmay be such that liquid is heated by conduction through the walls of thetank.

The inlet air ducting 114 is provided at a base of the handle portion96. Tubular member 115 supports connection of the air hose 78 to thehand held sprayer 101 using the retention ring 97. The sprayer 101 alsoincludes an external trigger 102. The limit of trigger 102 actuation maybe controlled by a set screw 103.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5B, which illustrates a cross sectionalview of the hand held sprayer shown in FIG. 5A. The nozzle 104 used inthis implementation is of an HVLP type, but could comprise anyair-assisted nozzle having an air flow and creating the spray cloud.Liquid for spraying is passed from liquid valve 52 by internal ductingto the nozzle spray jet outlet 105 where it is atomized in response tothe air supplied at the atomizing air port 91 to form the atomized spraycloud and pattern shaped in response to the air supplied at the airports 106 so as to shape the atomized spray cloud (for example, into afan-like pattern). Heated air is passed by internal ducting anddistributed among and between the air ports 91 and 106.

In an alternative configuration, the air ports 106 may be configured tonot only shape the atomized spray cloud but also to provide heated airfor purposes of warming the spray cloud. To implement thisconfiguration, the internal ducting of the nozzle 104 may be configuredso that the pattern shaping air ports 106 receive the heated air.Additionally, the pattern shaping air ports 106 may be designed to below pressure outlets that minimize a nozzle cooling effect on the spraycloud.

Air is communicated through the hose 78 and received at the inlet airducting 114 at the base of the handle portion 96. The received airpasses up through the handle portion 96. The air heating system 117 maybe located at various locations in the hand held sprayer 101. Forexample, the heating system 117 may be installed in the handle portion96 within the ducting carrying the air received at inlet ducting 114.The hose 78 may thread into the tubular member 115 and be furthersecured to the handle portion 96 using the retaining ring 97. In otherembodiments, the heating element 117 may be located in the hose 78and/or in the tubular member 115 proximate the hose end that connects tothe hand held spray member 101. In this embodiment, the hose 78including the heating element 117 may be detachable such that theheating element 117 may be removed from the spray member 101. Regardlesswhether the heating element 117 is removable or non-removable from thespray member 101, locating the heating element 117 near the spray memberend of the hose 78 may facilitate heat retention because heated air isnot required to flow through a significant length of hose 78, such thatconsiderable heat is lost. According to certain embodiments, the air maycool between 20°-30° F. travelling through a length of hose. In certainembodiments, the hose 78 may also carry the wires to make an electricalconnection between the power source and the spray member 101. In thisembodiment, an electrical connector 98 may be located within the handleportion 96. However, if the heating element 117 is removable with thehose 78, then it may not be necessary to have an electrical connectionbetween the hose 78 and the hand held spray member 101.

As described above, the heating system 117 includes a thermal sensorthat may be in the form of a thermal fuse 118 and/or a thermal switch119 (in the form, for example, of a thermostat) functioning as safetydevices with respect to sprayer operation so as to protect against anoverheating or malfunctioning situation. A perspective, partially brokenaway view of the heating system 117 is shown in FIG. 7A. A longitudinalcross-section is shown in FIG. 7B. A lateral cross-section is shown inFIG. 7C. Power to the heating system 117 is supplied by power lines 200.The heating system 117 includes a cylindrical tube support 202. Thecylindrical tube support 202 may be made from an electrically andthermally insulating material such as Garolite or other suitablefiberglass composite or plastic material. A ceramic core 204 isinstalled within the tube support 202. A mica wrap 206 is positionedbetween the inner surface of the tube support 202 and the outerperiphery of the ceramic core 204. The ceramic core 204 is formed toinclude a central longitudinal channel 208 and a plurality of peripherallongitudinal channels 210. These channels 208 and 210 are sized topermit the flow of air through the heating system 117. The power lines200 pass through the central longitudinal channel 208, and the thermalfuse 118 and thermal switch 119 are installed within the centrallongitudinal channel 208. A coiled resistance wire 212 is installedwithin each one of the peripheral longitudinal channels 210. The coiledresistance wires 212 are electrically connected to each other and to thepower lines 200.

The heating system 117 is designed to quickly ramp up to a desired airheating temperature and maintain that temperature over the course of aspray session. In addition, if the heating system 117 gets too hot (forexample if there is no air flowing through the heating system 117), thethermal switch 119 may operate to interrupt the power to the heatingsystem 117 to control temperatures and to prevent a dangerousoverheating condition. The thermal switch 119 may be a resettablethermal switch. As such, the thermal switch 119 may interrupt the powersubstantially immediately. The heating system 117 may have as input ananalog or digital signal from a thermal sensor that allows thetemperature of the heating system 117 to be modulated, as opposed tomechanically interrupting power to it.

Reference is once again made to FIG. 5B. After passing through theheating system 117, the air (now heated air) passes through internalducting and is made available within the hand held sprayer 101 for anumber of purposes. First, the heated air is delivered to an air channel128, which, in certain embodiments may be coupled through an inlet checkvalve 123 to the liquid supply 110 container. The check valve 123 onlypermits air to enter the liquid supply 110 container, and thus the airsupplied from the air channel 128 functions to pressurize and heat theliquid supply 110 container. In other embodiments, the liquid supply 110may not be pressurized by the heated air. For example, in one embodimentthe liquid supply 110 may be external to the hand held spray member, andthe heated air may not reach the liquid supply 110.

Second, the heated air is delivered to a nozzle air channel 129. Incertain embodiments, the nozzle air channel 129 may be separate from theair channel 128. This nozzle air channel 129 is coupled to the patternshaping air ports 106 through pattern shaping air channel 135. Thus,heated pattern shaping air is supplied to the pattern shaping air ports106 of the nozzle 104. This nozzle air channel 129 is further coupled tothe air atomization ports 91 through atomization air channel 136. Thus,heated atomizing air is also supplied to the air atomization air ports91 at the spray jet outlet 105 of the nozzle 104. One or more air valves(not explicitly shown) may be used to control heated air delivery andthe air pressure to the atomizing air port 91 and the pattern shapingair ports 106.

Heating of the heat retaining skin treatment formulation may occur asthe atomization air channel 136 receives heated air from the heatingsystem 117 through the nozzle air channel 129, the heated air will alsoheat the liquid tip body 120 and liquid conduit as the heated air flowsto the atomizing air ports 91. This heated liquid tip body 120 maytransfer heat to the liquid as it flows to spray jet outlet 105. Theliquid tip body 120 may be metal or other material that effectivelyconducts heat. In one embodiment, the liquid tip body 120 may bestainless steel.

Heated air exiting from the air atomization port 91 may assistatomization of the liquid provided from the liquid supply 110 containerand passing through the quick connect valve 122 and internal ducting tothe nozzle spray jet outlet 105 to form the spray cloud 33. In certainembodiments, the air pressure may be reduced such that the spray mistremains warm. For example, air pressure below 10 p.s.i. may create aneffective spray mist and reduce the amount of heat loss due to expansionof the air as it exits the atomizing air port 91. In certainembodiments, nozzle geometry in connection with the heat retaining skintreatment solution described herein may reduce heated air cooling due torapid air expansion at the nozzle 104. Corresponding to the reduced airpressure, the flow rate of the liquid may also be reduced to allow foratomization of a lesser quantity of liquid to ensure that all of theliquid ejected from the spray jet outlet 105 is atomized.

The heat conducting and heat retaining skin treatment liquid for thespraying operation is sourced from the liquid supply 110 container. Theliquid in the liquid supply 110 container is coupled through an outletquick connect valve 122 through internal ducting (not explicitly shown)to the nozzle spray jet outlet 105. The outlet quick connect valve 122for the liquid supply 110 container in this implementation does notfunction to control the state or rate of liquid flow or the size of theatomized spray cloud. Rather, a separate liquid flow control device orliquid valve 52 is provided in the nozzle 104. This liquid control valve52 in the illustrated configuration comprises a needle valve (to bedescribed) associated with the nozzle jet outlet 105. In otherembodiments, the flow of liquid may be controlled by a pump, a remotesolenoid valve, or a pneumatically controlled valve. The liquid flowcontrol device may be internal to the hand held spray member 101 or mayremote to the spray member 101. Also, the rate of flow of the liquid maybe regulated by controlling air pressure into the liquid supplycontainer 110 at inlet check valve 123.

When the liquid control valve 52 is closed, the flow of liquid from theliquid supply 110 container to the nozzle spray jet outlet 105 isblocked and only heated air may be delivered by the nozzle 104. As theliquid control valve 52 opens, liquid from the liquid supply 110container flows to nozzle spray jet outlet 105. This flow may beassisted because the liquid supply 110 container has been pressurized byheated air passing into the liquid supply 110 container through theinlet check valve 123. In a non-needle valve implementation, the outletcheck valve 122 may be configured to implement the functionality of theliquid control valve 52 (for example through controlling suction ofliquid from the liquid supply 110 container to nozzle spray jet outlet105).

In the needle valve configuration, the needle valve comprises a liquidflow needle 131 for the liquid control valve 52 that is biased by aspring 133 in a closed position that shuts off the flow of liquid to thenozzle spray jet outlet 105. The liquid flow needle 131 moves within thenozzle 104 in response to actuation of a pin 132. When the trigger 102is actuated, the trigger mechanism rotates about the pivot 147 andengages the pin 220. Movement of the pin 220 (in response to the trigger102 actuation) causes the control linkage mechanism to move the needlevalve pin 132 and open the liquid control valve 52 by moving the liquidflow needle 131 within the nozzle 104. When the trigger 102 is in afully released position, the control linkage mechanism (along withspring 133) sets the fluid flow needle 131 of liquid control valve 52into a fully closed. As the trigger 102 is further actuated, the controllinkage mechanism begins to open the needle valve. When the trigger 102moves towards the fully actuated position, the control linkage mechanismsets the liquid flow needle 131 into a position where the liquid controlvalve 52 is fully open. The set screw 103 provides a mechanism forcontrolling the maximum degree of trigger 102 actuation and thus canlimit the degree of opening the liquid control valve 52 in response tofull actuation of the trigger 102.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of the hand held sprayersimilar to that shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and having a supplemental airoutlet 108 and a supplemental air valve 130. Activating the supplementalair valve 130 allows heated air to be emitted by supplemental air outlet108. This heated air can be used to warm the spray cloud of heatretaining skin treatment solution emitted from the nozzle 104. The spraycloud may or may not have been heated before being emitted.

The system 10 described herein supports exercising control over theoperation of the heated air flow, heat levels, nozzle operation, liquidselection, and nozzle movement. Improved results using the apparatus andprocess described herein, with a trial using DHA (dihydroxyacetone)based sunless tanning compounds, include:

-   -   Increases tan color by allowing higher quantities of sprayed        active ingredient to be deposited due to a layering process        where the heated spray is applied; the skin is re-dried quickly        by the warm air before another spray pass over the same target        area;    -   Promotes improved efficacy and quicker activity of DHA by drying        the top layer of the stratum corneum skin layer; this results in        more uniform and longer lasting tan color with more even fading        characteristics;    -   Opens skin surface pores to allow for better penetration of        tanning compound and skin care ingredients;    -   Reduces the occurrence of chill bumps on the skin that may        result in an uneven and poor quality tan;    -   Properly controlled heated air dries the skin of any        perspiration or other moisture, including the water based spray        itself, that may cause an uneven tanning effect and limit DHA        efficacy;    -   Prevents dripping or streaking of the sprayed material during        the tanning process which can cause an uneven tanning result;    -   Reduces overspray by reducing spray evaporation during        transport;    -   Reduces evaporative cooling effects felt on the skin;    -   Reduces cooling during spray cloud transport by altering the        evaporative effects; and    -   Eliminates the step of drying the skin off with a towel which        causes partial removal and disturbance of the evenly deposited        layer from the spray application.

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of thepresent invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings anddescribed in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but iscapable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth anddefined by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for applying a heated skintreatment spray to coat a target surface, comprising: heating a heatretaining emulsifying wax; emitting a heat retaining skin treatmentsolution comprising the heat retaining emulsifying wax; atomizing theheat retaining skin treatment solution using an atomizing nozzleassociated with a sprayer to create a spray cloud; wherein heating theheat retaining emulsifying wax occurs simultaneous with atomizing theheat retaining skin treatment solution and overcomes a nozzle expansioncooling effect to allow the spray cloud to have a temperature of atleast 15 degrees Fahrenheit above an ambient air temperature.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein air received from a supplemental air sourceassociated with the sprayer is used in atomizing the heat retaining skintreatment solution.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising heatingthe spray cloud using heated air emitted through a supplemental airoutlet.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat retaining emulsifyingwax is phosphate based.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the heatretaining emulsifying wax comprises a blend of fatty alcohol andphosphate esters.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat retainingemulsifying wax comprises a blend of cetearyl alcohol and dicetylphosphate.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat retainingemulsifying wax comprises a blend of cetearyl alcohol and cetethphosphate.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ceteth phosphate isceteth-10 phosphate.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the heat retainingskin treatment solution comprises silicone oil.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the heat retaining skin treatment solution comprisesdimethicone oil.
 11. A system for applying a heated skin treatment sprayto a target surface, comprising: a heat retaining skin treatmentsolution comprising a heat retaining emulsifying wax; a sprayer havingan atomizing nozzle adapted to atomize the heat retaining skin treatmentsolution into a spray cloud; a heating unit coupled to the sprayer andadapted to heat air, the air heating the heat retaining emulsifying wax;and wherein heating the heat retaining emulsifying wax occurssimultaneously with atomizing the heat retaining skin treatment solutionand overcomes a nozzle expansion cooling effect to allow the spray cloudto have a temperature of at least 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
 12. The systemof claim 11, further comprising a supplemental air source adapted todeliver the air to the sprayer.
 13. The system of claim 11, furthercomprising a supplemental air outlet adapted to emit supplemental air toheat the spray cloud.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the heatretaining emulsifying wax is phosphate based.
 15. The system of claim14, wherein the heat retaining emulsifying wax comprises a blend offatty alcohol and phosphate esters.
 16. The system of claim 11, whereinthe heat retaining emulsifying wax comprises a blend of cetearyl alcoholand dicetyl phosphate.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the heatretaining emulsifying wax comprises a blend of cetearyl alcohol andceteth phosphate.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cetethphosphate is ceteth-10 phosphate.
 19. The system of claim 11, whereinthe heat retaining skin treatment solution comprises silicone oil. 20.The system of claim 11, wherein the heat retaining skin treatmentsolution comprises dimethicone oil.
 21. The system of claim 11, whereinthe skin treatment solution comprises at least one of dihydroxyacetoneand erythrulose.
 22. The system of claim 11 wherein the atomizing nozzlecomprises at least one atomization air port adapted to emit atomizingair to simultaneously heat and atomize the heat retaining skin treatmentsolution.
 23. The system of claim 11 wherein the atomizing nozzlecomprises at least one pattern shaping air port adapted to emit patternshaping air to simultaneously heat and pattern shape the spray cloud.24. The system of claim 11 wherein: the atomizing nozzle is selectedfrom a group consisting of: a mechanical atomizer, a sonic atomizer, anda hydraulic atomizer.
 25. The system of claim 24 further comprising asupplemental air outlet, and supplemental air emitted from thesupplemental air outlet heating the spray cloud.
 26. The system of claim11 wherein the heat retaining emulsifying wax is heated in a liquidconduit using the air approaching the atomizing nozzle.
 27. The systemof claim 11 wherein the heat retaining emulsifying wax is heated in areservoir containing the heat retaining skin treatment solution.
 28. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising heating the heat retainingemulsifying wax simultaneously with atomizing the heat retaining skintreatment solution using air emitted from at least one atomization airport associated with the atomizing nozzle.
 29. The method of claim 1further comprising heating the heat retaining emulsifying wax using airemitted from at least one pattern shaping port associated with theatomizing nozzle.
 30. The method of claim 1 wherein: the atomizingnozzle is selected from a group consisting of: a mechanical atomizer, asonic atomizer, and a hydraulic atomizer.
 31. The method of claim 30further comprising heating the spray cloud using air emitted from asupplemental air outlet.
 32. The method of claim 1 wherein the heatretaining emulsifying wax is heated in a liquid conduit using airapproaching the atomizing nozzle.
 33. The method of claim 1 wherein theheat retaining emulsifying wax is heated in a reservoir containing theheat retaining skin treatment solution.
 34. A system for applying aheated skin treatment spray to a target surface, comprising: a heatretaining skin treatment solution comprising a heat retainingemulsifying wax; a sprayer having an atomizing nozzle including an airatomization port adapted to emit air to atomize the heat retaining skintreatment solution into a spray cloud; and a heating unit coupled to thesprayer and adapted to heat the air, the air heating the heat retainingemulsifying wax simultaneously with atomizing the heat retaining skintreatment solution and overcoming a nozzle expansion cooling effect toallow the spray cloud to have a temperature of at least 85 degreesFahrenheit.
 35. The system of claim 34 wherein the heat retainingemulsifying wax is also heated in a liquid conduit using the airapproaching the atomizing nozzle.
 36. The system of claim 34 wherein theheat retaining emulsifying wax is also heated in a reservoir containingthe heat retaining skin treatment solution.
 37. The system of claim 11wherein the temperature of the spray cloud is measured approximatelyfive inches from the atomizing nozzle.
 38. The system of claim 34wherein the temperature of the spray cloud is measured approximatelyfive inches from the atomizing nozzle.